As Harry Kane stepped onto Bayern Munich’s training ground, the sun briefly broke through the clouds, signaling his potential return for the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid. Kane, the 32-year-old England captain, missed recent matches due to ankle issues but has undergone intensive treatment and is expected to travel with the team to Madrid. Bayern’s sporting director mentioned that they will assess Kane’s fitness until kick-off.
Kane’s impact on Bayern is significant, having scored 48 goals in 40 matches, including nine in the Champions League. While hopes are high for his availability, coach Vincent Kompany has backup plans in place. Serge Gnabry could step in if needed, with young talent Lennart Karl as another option. However, the priority remains to have Kane on the field, as expressed by midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
In other positive news, Manuel Neuer, the 40-year-old goalkeeper, has returned from injury and is set to face Real Madrid. Kompany faces decisions at full-back positions, with Alphonso Davies having an edge due to his speed. Bayern’s training focus has been on defensive resilience against counterattacks, aiming to secure a favorable result in the first leg before the return fixture at home.
Kompany views the upcoming match as a contest between evenly matched teams and refuses to pick a favorite. With Kane’s potential return and Neuer’s comeback, Bayern’s confidence is on the rise as they prepare for Kompany’s 100th game in charge of the treble winners.
